These days, nursing is no longer limited to working in hospitals and long-term care facilities. There are now a number opportunities available for those who are looking to go into the nursing field. One that is becoming increasingly popular is legal nurse consulting. A legal nurse consultant works with attorneys and others understand medical records, medical terminology, and the subtleties of healthcare issues. To become a legal nurse consultant, you must be a licensed registered nurse, have several years of experience, and be a good, clear communicator.
A legal nurse consultant is a licensed registered nurse. In the US, this means that you have been granted a certificate by your state allowing you to practice nursing. In order to become a legal nurse consultant, you have to have at least three years of experience in working in a medical center. That includes doctor's offices, clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers.
It is important to have this experience, because once you become a legal nurse consultant, you will need to be able to explain medical and healthcare issues to those in the legal profession, such as attorneys. You must be able to speak knowledgeably about the field. In the United States, you will have to take the Legal Nurse Consultant Certified (LNCC) exam, and if you wish to further yourself in the field, you can take the Certified Legal Nurse Consultant (CLNC) exam to become a legal nurse consultant. Other jurisdictions have different requirements.
Although it is not required, it is encouraged that any registered nurse who seeks to become a legal nurse consultant complete an educational course to introduce and prepare him or her for the field. This course will also introduce legal terminology, healthcare management risk, and civil litigation. Legal nurse consulting courses are offered at various colleges, and can often be found in health sciences departments and in nursing schools. There are also programs you can participate in online that will allow you to listen to presentations, read manuals, listen to conference sessions audio, and access other information.
To become a legal nurse consultant, it is important that you are able to speak well and express your thoughts and opinions clearly. You may be called on the witness stand to give expert testimony on heathcare issues. A clear presentation of the facts of a case can make you a more credible expert witness.
There are a number of different areas expertise a legal nurse consultant may focus on. You may want to work for an insurance company, a law firm, or as a nursing home consultant. Some legal nurse consultants work as forensic nurses. You could also work independently and provide your services to different government agencies and other corporations.
